Spinach Manicotti with Bechamel Sauce

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I’ve turned into a modern-day Popeye in recent days in an effort to increase my iron intake. Lunch is usually a baby spinach salad, dinner sometimes a spinach and kale quiche. Somehow I thought that eating raw greens would produce the highest iron content and then read an article stating that cooked spinach was better in that regard. That was an exciting fact to learn because I needed to change it up a little.

Originally I was going to make a lasagna, but found manicotti shells in the pantry and I thought it would make a nice change. I’ve always failed at making manicotti but I discovered the trick to all of my past failures. It’s important to spoon your mixture into a zip-baggie, cut the tip and pipe it in order to get the perfect stuffed manicotti or shell. After all of these years…the secret is out!

When I was mixing the filling, I considered adding artichokes. My family enjoys the dip but I questioned whether it would work in stuffed manicotti, however I may give it a try the next time I make this. And I will be making this again. It was a hit! Anytime you’re out of red sauce or simply want a change from your usual baked pasta, make a bechamel sauce. It sounds so fancy, but it’s really very simple and inexpensive to make.

Other than the ingredients, there was one other necessity that was required for this or any baked dish…cleaning supplies. I love to cook and bake, but doing the dishes is the worst. Who likes to clean dishes? Luckily we have the Scotch-Brite™ Brand which makes easy work of the dreaded chore.

Walmart had the entire supply lineup from Scotch-Brite® including the three I bought: Scotch-Brite® Heavy Duty Scrub Dots Sponge, Scotch-Brite® Non-Scratch Scrub Dots Sponge and the Scotch-Brite® Heavy Duty Scrub Dots Dishwand. I’m definitely a sponge gal when it comes to doing the dishes, and I love the new Scrubbing Dots technology, which allow the sponges to rinse clean (no more stuck-on food!). I’m also loving the dishwand which is somewhat new for me. I love that it can be filled with soap and in turns saves your hands and nails from overdrying.

This stuffed spinach manicotti in a bechamel sauce makes a delicious and uncomplicated one-dish dinner!

Author: Heather @ GirlGoneMom.com

Recipe type: Main

Cuisine: Italian

Serves: 8

Ingredients

Manicotti

1 box manicotti shells

32 oz. ricotta cheese

2 eggs

2½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese

16 oz frozen chopped spinach, thawed and squeezed dry

2 tablespoons dried basil

Sauce

¼ cup butter

¼ cup flour

½ teaspoon salt

3½ cups milk

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Boil manicotti according to package, drain and cool in chilled water

Mix together ricotta, eggs, spinach, basil and 1 cup mozzarella in a large bowl.

In a medium saucepan, melt butter, then mix in flour, salt and slowly add milk while stirring.

Cook sauce on medium heat until it begins to boil and thicken then remove from heat.

Coat the bottom of a 9x12 baker with bechamel sauce.

Pipe rictotta mixture into each side of the manicotti shell, then place on in baker.

Continue until the baker is filled, then pour the remaining bechamel over top of the manicotti.

Top with remaining mozzarella.

Bake uncovered for 40 minutes, then brown the cheese under the broiler for another few minutes (watch closely so that it does not burn).

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About Heather

Heather is the founder of GirlGoneMom.com. She lives in Southern New Jersey with her husband, 10-year-old daughter, 6-year-old son, two cats Winston and Spencer and our pup Buddy. You’ll find a combination of family-friendly reviews and giveaways, deal alerts, personal stories and articles relating to parenting on GirlGoneMom.com.

Added garlic powder to the filling. Added nutmeg to the bechamel sauce. Had good flavor but needed a bit more salt. Unfortunately the filling was not as creamy as I would have liked but that might be a trade off with all the spinach in this recipe. Will definitely make again with a few tweaks.